BEE CULTURE. 225 



the entrance. We then placed a similar hive (empty) on the 

 stand in its place, that the bees which were abroad might enter 

 it. "We then opened the bottom of the inverted hive, no bees 

 flying out, as they were completely stupefied with fear ; we 

 placed a box the size of the hive on it, and tied a cloth around 

 the joint to prevent any bees from getting out. We then 

 drummed with sticks on the sides of the hive ; after a few 

 minutes' drumming the bees commenced going up, and when we 

 thought we had enough for a swarm — having a glass in the box 

 covered with a slide — we removed the box, the bees clustering 

 in the top like a natural swarm. We then, having a sheet 

 upon the ground, struck the box down upon the sheet, emptying 

 the box entirely, and then sprinkled the bees with water from 

 a watering-pot, to prevent their flying. Then placing a hive for 

 them as for a natural swarm, we moved the old hive back to its 

 place on the stand, so that any stray bees might enter it. 

 Shaking the bees from the decoy hive, which we had placed 

 temporarily on the stand, all the returning bees entered the old 

 hive, none leaving. When the driven swarm had entered the 

 new hive, which they did very kindly — it contained no comb or 

 any thing to entice them — -we moved the old hive about thirty 

 feet, and placed the new swarm where the old one had stood, 

 and the process was complete, having occupied about forty min- 

 utes. So well satisfied was our incredulous friend, that he 

 concluded to operate on his hive the next day if we would 

 assist him. Now for the result. The new swarm went to work 

 immediately, and in twelve days filled the hive, holding one 

 bushel, and the same season gave us twenty pounds of nice 

 honey. The next season they threw off" a very large swarm, the 

 25th day of May, and two afterwards that season. 



The old swarm, after recovering from their depression occa- 

 sioned by the loss of their queen, raised a new queen, became 

 as populous as before, and made thirty pounds of honey for our 

 use that season. I dreaded the operation previous to doing it, 

 as I had never seen any thing of the kind, but it was very easy 

 and a complete success. I have since done it alone several times, 

 and it has always worked well ; but I would advise every one 

 who undertakes it for the first time to have assistance. Tliis is 

 certainly an easy method of making swarms ; but easy as it is 

 there is a way to do it much easier, and that is by using the 



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